Crest Nicholson warns of annual loss amid subdued property market

The British housebuilder Crest Nicholson has warned of a surprise loss this year as it bemoaned difficult trading in a “subdued” property market.

In an unscheduled trading update, the company said it would complete fewer homes than expected in the year to 31 October – between 1,350 and 1,400, down from its previous estimate of 1,400 to 1,500.

Conditions in the property market have been “more subdued” than expected during the summer, which is typically quieter as many people go on holiday. Crest said its sales rate had slowed over the past six weeks compared with the first half of the year as “affordability constraints and competitive pricing” dragged down demand.

The company now expects to slide into the red, with an operating loss of about £10m, reversing an earlier forecast of a profit of between £5m and £10m. It is the third profit warning since April. The Crest share price plunged more than 10% on Thursday morning.

Building material prices remain about 3% to 4% higher on average. Crest has closed one divisional office and cut 50 jobs in recent months.

It reported a pre-tax loss of £35.2m for the six months to the end of April. However, it is reducing its borrowings faster than expected, and expects net debt of £70 to £90m at the end of October, down from the £100m to £120m flagged previously.

The Surrey-based company has been trying to renegotiate its banking covenants with lenders for some time to ensure it has enough funding in the future. It described the talks as constructive but anticipates “some slippage in the current timetable”, indicating the negotiations are taking longer than expected.

Martyn Clark, the chief executive, said: “While the trading backdrop has remained difficult through the summer, we are making tangible progress on the actions within our control.

“Although the timing of a broader market recovery remains uncertain, the group is taking the right actions to protect liquidity and improve operational execution, while positioning the business for recovery when market conditions normalise.”

The outlook for the property market has been clouded this year by the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran. The conflict has pushed up oil prices, stoking fears over inflation and this week leading to turmoil in bond markets.